Inflatable and collapsible canopy



Sept. 11, 1962 T. H. BURNS INFLATABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 3, 1959 TH DMA\S H. J3 URNJ' ATTORNEY Sept. 11, 1962 T. H. BURNS INFLATABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 3, 1959 I, II, Min

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Sept. 11, 1962 T. H. BURNS INFLATABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 3, 1959 INVENTOR TH0MAs H Bl/pMs ATTORNEY Sept. 11, 1962 T. H. BURNS INFLATABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 3, 1959 INVENTOR JH0MA5 H. B UENJ' A ORNEY United States Patent Ofilice 3,053,266 Patented Sept. 1 1, 1962- 3 053,266 INFLATABLE AND COLLAPSIBLE CANOPY Thomas H. Burns, 6315 Beacon Ave., Seattle, Wash. Filed Sept. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 837,945 1 Claim. (Cl. 135-20) This invention relates to inflatable and collapsible articles and more particularly to a pneumatically inflatable canopy; it being the principal object of the invention to provide a novel form of pneumatically inflatable canopy, made up of a plurality of expandable air tubes of rubber, or the like, that are so spirally wound about a hub and so joined together that, when inflated, they provide an extended, umbrella-like covering or canopy which, upon deflation, can be collapsed into a compact bundle for easy carrying or storage in a casing or tubular enclosure of relatively small dimensions forming a part of the handle portion of the device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a pneumatically inflatable canopy which, in combination with novel telescopically extendable handle forming sections by which it is mounted, serves the purpose, when inflated, of an umbrella.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an article of the above stated character embodying a tubular, sectional, handle and wherein the canopy, upon its deflation, may be collapsed after the fashion of an umbrella and protectively enclosed within a section of the handle for convenient handling and storage.

Yet another object of the invention is to form the handle portion of the article from a plurality of telescopically joined and adjustable tubular sections including some which may be caused to function as an air pump for inflating the canopy for use.

Still another object of the invention is to form the canopy from a plurality of flexible rubber tubes of small diameter which assume a flattened cross-sectional form upon deflation and which are assembled, joined and then spirally wound in close relationship about a mounting hub portion and, upon being inflated, lengthen and expand to definite limits to establish the canopy of umbrellalike form.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the details of construction of parts; in their assembled relationship and in their mode of operation and use, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the present inflatable article, in its collapsed condition and as housed for storage or easy carrying, showing the manner in which it is grasped preparatory to the withdrawing of the collapsed canopy from its tubular enclosing member.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the manner of holding and of withdrawing of the deflated and collapsed canopy from its tubular enclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration, showing the manner of holding the device in extending the telescopically joined handle forming sections.

FIG. 4 is an illustration, showing the manner of holding the article, with the three upper end sections of the handle extended for application of the larger, cylindrical end section over the .adjacent piston equipped section to serve therewith as an air pump.

FIG. 5 is an illustration, showing the manner of grasping the extended handle for use of the device as an umbrella.

FIG. 6 is a plan, or top view, of the canopy, as relaxed will be explained.

or deflated showing the connections of the four canopy forming air tubes with the tubular hub member that constitutes the air manifold.

FIG. 7 is a sectional detail, taken on line 77 in FIG. 6, showing an arcuate segment of the canopy as formed by the successive spiral coils of tubing. Also showing the connection of the inner end of one of the air tubes with the air distributing hub and the manifold which are supplied with inflating air through the tubular handle.

FIG. 7a is a sectional detail taken on line 7a7a in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the device, as collapsed, and housed for storage or carrying, showing parts of the telescoped handle broken away .and in cross-section to better disclose the telescopic relationship of the handle forming sections and the position of the canopy therein when collapsed and housed.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional detail of a check valve .as applied to the smaller of the tubular handle forming sections.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the three upper end sections of the handle in disassembled relationship, with parts broken away and parts in section for explanatory purposes.

FIG. 11 is a fragmental detail of the tubing of the canopy as attached to the canopy mounting hub and air manifold applied to the handle. FIG. 11 also shows both radial and circumferential diameter limiting and canopy shape control ties.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating the application of circumferential diameter limiting ties to the tubes to control the diameter and shape of the canopy.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the central part to which the inner ends of the diameter controlling ties are attached; parts being broken away for better understand ing.

FIG. 14 is a fragmental plan view of canopy with parts of the tubing in section for better understanding of the air tube assembly with the hub member.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In FIG. 5 the present canopy, as seen in its inflated condition, is designated in its entirety, by reference numeral 10 and it is there shown as being held in use by means of a handle, designated in its entirety by numeral 11. This handle comprises four telescopically assembled tubular sections herein designated by reference numerals 11a, 11b, 11c and lid, in order from the lower to the upper end of the handle; these parts being telescopically assembled as described later in the specification.

In this assembly of handle forming parts, the larger and also lower end section 11a serves, when in the position in which it is shown in FIG. v5, as an easily held extension member of the handle. However, in the erecting of the collapsed canopy upon its being withdrawn, as in FIG. 2, from its enclosing housing 11a, and the handle sections telescopically extended, this cylindrical end section is reversed, end for end, and is applied as in FIG. 4 to the next adjacent or piston equipped section 11b to serve therewith as a pump whereby air, can be forced through the extended tubular, handle forming sections 11b, 11c and lid to a central manifold and thence to the canopy hub and tubing forming the canopy, as presently Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawing: The parts as therein shown are in the same fully collapsed condition as of FIG. 1, with the canopy completely deflated and collapsed between the tubular handle forming section 11b and the outer, pump cylinder forming section 11a which, in this view, is reversed from its normal handle forming position of use and is telescopically applied over the sections 11b, 11c and 11d after they have been completely telescoped together. The application of the pump cylinder forming section 11a, over the telescoped smaller sections, as seen in FIG. 8, is downwardly from their upper ends so that when so applied thereover, the slightly flared open end of section 11a will receive therein, to a partial extent, a piston forming collar 15, presently described, that is formed about the lower end portion of the tubular section 11b. The handle parts are releasably secured in this collapsed relationship by threading a coaxial sleeve-like portion 16, that is fixed to the top end of the innermost section, 11d, into a coaxial opening formed in what is normally referred to as the closed end 11x of the enclosing section 11a. It is further to be understood that the three telescoped sections 11b, 11c and 11d, contained within the outer cylindrical section 1111, are adapted to be releasably interlocked, so that all may be thus held against telescopic extension when this is desired.

In the following detailed description of the various telescopically assembled sections of the handle, it is ad vantageous to consider them in order, from the section of smallest diameter to the largest or lower end section 11a. The innermost section, herein designated by reference numeral 11d, is shown in FIG. to comprise a single piece of rigid tubing of uniform diameter, providing an air duct from end to end thereof. At the lower end of this tube 11d, is a check valve comprising a plug 21, that is threaded in an air tight joint into the tube end, and a valve stem is reciprocally fitted in an axial bore 26 formed through the plug, as best shown in FIG. 9. At its upper end, the stem is equipped with a valve head 27, designed to engage a conical seat 28 at the upper end of the bore and at its lower end is equipped with a button 29. A coil spring 30 is applied about the stem between the button and plug to yieldably hold the valve seated. The stem 25 is formed lengthwise along one side with an air channel 31, opening to the lower end of the stem and to the side thereof near its upper end. This stem, when pushed upwardly to such extent as to expose the upper end of the air channel 31 above the inner end of the plug 21 provides for a flow of air therethrough, as presently explained.

At its upper end, the tubular section lid is closed in an air tight connection by a plug that is threaded thereinto. The plug is formed integrally with and coaxially of an annular collar member 41. The collar member 41 is of substantial diameter and is formed, axially thereof, and on its upper side, with the previously mentioned threaded stem 16. This stem is of cylindrical form and, in its upper end portion, contains the piston-like button 43 of a valve stem 44. The stem 44 projects downwardly from the button 43 through a bored hole 45 formed coaxially of the plug 40 and, at its lower end, has a valve head 46 thereon that engages a seat 46 at the lower end of the hole. A coil spring 48 is applied under compression between the parts 41 and 43 to yieldingly hold the valve in its closed position.

It is further shown in FIG. 10 that the sleeve-like part 16 is formed exteriorly with a single spiral thread 50 for a purpose presently more fully explained.

Applied coaxially about the upper end portion of the tubular section 11d is what is herein referred to as the manifold 52. This is tubular and of metal and is sealed at its ends against air leakage by being clamped between sealing gaskets 53 and 54; the former being applied between the lower end of the manifold for support by an encircling shoulder 55 formed on tube 11d and the latter being applied between the upper end of the manifold and the under surface of the collar-like part 41. An annular chamber, or air space, 56 is provided within the manifold 52 and the tube 11d is formed with an air hole 57 opening therefrom directly into this air chamber which supplies air to the inner ends of the several air tubes that make up the canopy 10.

The tubular handle forming section 110, shown at the left hand side in FIG. 10, which telescopically contains 4 the part 11d therein, is of uniform inside diameter as observed in FIGS. 8 and 10. It is formed at its lower end, as seen therein with a constricting end wall portion 60 that limits the relative upward movement of this section on the section 11d and also it is formed centrally in that end Wall with an air hole 62.

Parts 11d and 11c, in their telescopic assembly, may be releasably interlocked when in either the fully extended relationship, as observed in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, or when in their fully telescoped relationship, as in FIG. 8. For this particular purpose, the section 11a is formed exteriorly on opposite sides with paired longitudinal channel or grooves 65, as shown in FIG. 10, which grooves, at their upper and lower ends partly encircle the section as at 66 and 67 in FIG. 10. The section 110 is formed interiorly, adjacent its open upper end, with a pair of inwardly projecting bosses 68 adapted to follow within the channels 65. Thus, by telescoping the parts together and relatively rotating the parts to cause the bosses to enter the tube encircling parts 66 of the grooves, the two sections will be held in telescoped condition. If the parts are released from interlocked connection by relative rotation that returns the bosses into the straight parts of the grooves, and are then fully extended and the bosses caused to enter the tube encircling parts 67 of the groove, the sections will, likewise, be interlocked in the intended relationship of FIG. 3.

The handle forming section 11b which is telescopically fitted over the section 110 is slightly longer than part 11c as seen in the assembly of FIG. 8. This section, 11b, when fully telescoped, terminates closely adjacent the shoulder 55. At its lower end, it is inwardly rounded, with slight clearance from the similarly rounded lower end wall of section 110 and is formed with an air hole 70. This section, which was previously referred to as the piston section, is formed about its lower end portion with the encircling piston forming collar 15 which is designed to serve as a pump piston, as well as a closure means for the lower end of the housing as seen in FIG. 8.

When these two parts 11b and 110 are in their fully extended relationship or when fully telescoped together, they may be releasably interlocked together against relative movement by the same manner of means described in connection with the similar interlocking of parts 11d and 11c. For these two telescopic sections, the interlocking means comprises bosses 72 formed in the upper end of part 11b and adapted for travel in grooves 73 formed lengthwise in the outside surface of section 110 and which grooves, at their upper and lower ends respectively, terminate as tube encircling portions 74-75.

The largest tube section, 11a, is of such diameter and length as to permit it to be fully applied over the assembled and collapsed handle forming sections 11b, 11c and 11d. When applied thereover, as a housing as shown in FIG. 8, its open end is directed downwardly over the telescoped sections and the stem 16 that is applied to the upper end of section 1111, is threaded into the internal sleeve 76 formed within its upper end. The open end of this largest section is thus fitted over and closed by the piston 15. When the part 11a is reversed and applied over the piston, for use as a pump, it can then be reciprocally manipulated to force air into the tubular handle, past check valve 27 into the manifold 52 for distribution to the tubes of the canopy, as will be more fully explained later in the specification.

When the several parts are telescoped together as in FIG. 8, the upper end of section 110 will be enclosed within a downwardly opening cup-like member 80 that is applied about the section 1101. This cup-like member, shown best in FIG. 13, is coaxial of the handle and its upper surface is clamped between the shoulder 55 and gasket 53. This part serves as an anchor means for the attachment of the inner ends of the radial diameter controlling ties of the canopy and its use and construction will later be more fully explained.

The canopy which is designed in its entirety by numeral N, is made up of a plurality of flat elastic tubes 85 that are wound spirally about the manifold 52 as applied to the handle section 11d. In the present instance, I employ four tubes 85 and these are assembled side by side radiating from the hub at 90 degree intervals in close relationship and then wound as a group about the hub and each other. All tubes 35 are then joined as illustrated in FIG. 11, and all are so preformed that when deflated they assume the flattened cross-sectional form shown at 85x in FIG. 11 and also will assume the undulating wave-like form shown in FIG. 3. Upon being inflated, all tubes tend to expand and to lengthen equally, and the waves flatten. Thus, the canopy expands from the dash line showing of tubes, at 85x in FIG. 11, through the solid line showing of partly inflated tubes, in that same view and finally reach the fully inflated condition of the dash line showing of tubes in FIG. 11.

The inner ends of the four tubes used in the present disclosure are designated, respectively, in FIG. 6 by reference numerals 85a, 85b, 85c and 85d and they are shown to open into a rubber hub 86 that is applied about the metal manifold 52 and hermetically sealed to the ends thereof as has been shown at 87 in FIG. 7. When the tubes 85 are inflated, the hub 86 also will be inflated and will assume a relationship to the manifold 52 as shown in FIG. 11.

When the canopy has been inflated to the desired extent, for example, to an extent comparable to its showing in FIG. 5, its diametric and circumferential expansion is checked. This is accomplished by use of a plurality of radial tie threads 9d which have their inner ends anchored in radial notches 91 formed in the upper end wall of the cup-like member 80 shown in FIG. 11 and extended radially therefrom and are connected with lugs 94 formed on the tubes 85 at the under side of the canopy as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Likewise, to control the circumferential expansion of the canopy, circumferentiallly directed cords or ties 92 are extended between the lugs 94.

Assuming that the canopy is collapsed and housed, as in FIGS. 1 and 8, it is extended for use as follows: First, the housing section Illa is unthreaded from hub 16 and the enclosed telescoped parts are drawn downwardly therefrom, as shown in FIG. 2. The handle sections are then released from their interlocked connection by slight rotative adjustment, and extended, as in FIG. 3 and are again interlocked. The removed housing section 11a is then reversed and applied over the piston section, as in FIG. 4, and by reciprocal pumping action, it coacts with the piston 15 to force air within the tubular handle through the tube opening 57 into the air manifold 52 and from this into the hub 86 and tubes 85 for their inflation. In this use of the tubular section 11a, the hand by which it is held, acts as a valve to close over the open end of the threaded sleeve 76 during a compression stroke and to uncover it during suction. The check valve 27 yields to admit air to the tube 110! and closes to retain the inflating air pressure.

After inflation of the canopy has been completed, the section 11a can be withdrawn, reversed and threaded onto the lower end of section 11b, as in FIG. 5, to serve as an extension of the handle.

When in this inflated condition, the device is useable for all purposes of an umbrella.

To deflate the canopy, the handle sections are telescoped together. This causes the valve 27 in the lower end of tube section lid to be opened for the escape of inflating air from the canopy tubes. Then with the ports 62 and open, the button 43 is depressed. Then the thumb is placed over port 7% and the button 43 is released and with its outward movement a negative pressure is created in tube 1M and canopy tubes which hold the canopy in collapsed condition to facilitate enclosure of the telescoping handle assembly 11 and canopy 10 within the cylinder 11a.

What I claim as new is:

An umbrella comprising a handle portion, a canopy mounting hub applied to the handle portion and an inflatable canopy mounted thereby, an air pump associated with the handle portion operable for supplying inflating air to the canopy; said canopy comprising a body portion formed by a plurality of inflatable elastic tubes adapted to receive air from the pump for their inflation; said tubes being preformed as flattened tubes and spirally wound about said hub and consecutively upon each other flatly in face-to-face contact and longitudinally joined throughout their lengths, radial ties with ends joined to said hub and to the canopy to limit its diametric expansion and other ties extending generally in the direction of spiral winding of the tubes and joined thereto at predetermined points on the under surface of the canopy whereby to cause the canopy upon its being inflated to assume an undulatory formation with the undulations extending radially of the canopy.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 849,407 Lowrie Apr. 9, 1907 883,277 Bellis Mar. 31, 1908 2,625,946 Kaston et a1. Jan. 20, 1953 

